A Study on Weight Gain in Patients Using Second Generation Anti-psychotics.

INTRODUCTION: Atypical antipsychotics are widely used in treatment of many psychotic disorders. They are as effective as first generation antipsychotics and also causes lower incidence of EPS. Inspite of their uses, atypical antipsychotics do have some side effects. There is a high risk of metabolic syndrome. Current study highlights the patterns of weight gain in patients using second generation anti-psychotics. AIM: To compare the patterns of weight gain among the second generation antipsychotics. METHODOLOGY: A comparative study between weight gain due to second generation antipsychotics in a sample of 120, analyzed by recording kg/body weight of patients who were treated by Quetiapine, Olanzapine, Risperidon and Aripiprazole. Baseline weight was recorded before starting the drug and subsequent weight was recorded in a follow up period of 12 weeks after the drug was started. RESULTS: Mean weight of the patients on the drugs considered in the study with Olanzapine was 61.13±7.21.The mean change in bodyweight from baseline by the end of duration in patients on Olanzapine showed statistically significant weight gain of 5.8kg which was higher when compared to mean weight gain by Risperidone and Quetiapine. On contrary, patients on Aripiprazole (60.7±6.73) group had a weight loss of approximately 0.61kg though it was not statistically significant. CONCLUSION: Weight gain is an important factor in drug compliance. Combination of interventions may be helpful to maintain drug compliance. Preventing weight gain in patients treated with antipsychotics should be considered a priority by suggesting lifestyle modifications.